Backing off last year's end of year prediction

30 posts in this topic

Harrison Barnes is way overrated, Kendall Marshall doesn't play defense, Henson doesn't play offense, and Roy Williams really isn't a superstar coach (flame on for that if you want, K wins with much less talent).

Last year's elite 8 run was all about playing the easiest possible path to the elite 8. Kindof like Duke and their championship run 2 seasons ago.

At this point in time, it's hard to argue with you there. He really hasn't gotten any better since last year, and looks to me like he's actually regressed a little.

Kendall does play defense, he's just not quick enough to stay in front of guys...it's not for lack of effort.

As far as K winning with much less talent...give me a break. The guy gets his fair share of 5 star's. Wasn't Rivers the #1 player out of last year's class?

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In 05 the Heels had 3 players with heart and a chip on their shoulder...May, McCants, and Felton.

In 09 they had Hansbrough, Lawson, and Ellington. Lord knows Hansbrough had more emotion and will to win than this years team combined.

This years teams bigs are soft, they don't go to the rim hard, Zeller gets the ball knocked loose way to much, Henson settles for a jumper, and Barnes plays the game in his head instead of by instinct. McAdoo just can't find his role or shot yet...shoots to many jumpers. The backcourt has Marshall who can't score and can't guard quick pgs...basically he doesn't need to be defended on offense. Strickland playing the 2 isn't a good shooter and rarely shoots a 3. Bullock is a streaky shooter at best and usually shoots to quick in the possession. PJ shot has left him...he couldn't miss at the start of the season so I'm wondering if he has a nagging injury.

I actually don't blame Roy. He can't help his players make good decisions or have heart/intensity. I do wish he would start PJ of Bullock at the 2. It would give a 3pt threat at the start of games....granted Strickland has better D.

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I thought they had chemistry issues early on, and now I think those demons are resuscitating. I just don't get the feeling the rest of his team appreciates Zeller, or vice versa. Against UK, Henson missed a wide open dunk at the end of the first half and got his ish swatted at the end of the game. He was 0-7 at the line yesterday. That will kill you in the tournament, as has been proven over and over again. Can't stop Henson? Foul him. Can't do that to Zeller. And Barnes hasn't improved. He's a great offensive player, but he can't go for 50 because Zeller and Henson won't do the dirty work for him. I think Henson, Barnes and Jones of UK all came back because they didn't think there would be an NBA season. They figured those lottery pick slots would still be there waiting for them next year. Now they have to re-earn them against hungrier players and they're not motivated to re-prove what they feel they've already earned.

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I thought they had chemistry issues early on, and now I think those demons are resuscitating. I just don't get the feeling the rest of his team appreciates Zeller, or vice versa. Against UK, Henson missed a wide open dunk at the end of the first half and got his ish swatted at the end of the game. He was 0-7 at the line yesterday. That will kill you in the tournament, as has been proven over and over again. Can't stop Henson? Foul him. Can't do that to Zeller. And Barnes hasn't improved. He's a great offensive player, but he can't go for 50 because Zeller and Henson won't do the dirty work for him. I think Henson, Barnes and Jones of UK all came back because they didn't think there would be an NBA season. They figured those lottery pick slots would still be there waiting for them next year. Now they have to re-earn them against hungrier players and they're not motivated to re-prove what they feel they've already earned.

Barnes may have made a mistake coming back. Gilcrest from KU already looks like the better player. And that kid at VA is a small foward in the NBa looks more aggressive then barnes. Right now he might be the 3rd or 4th best SF propect coming out this year.

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In 05 the Heels had 3 players with heart and a chip on their shoulder...May, McCants, and Felton.

In 09 they had Hansbrough, Lawson, and Ellington. Lord knows Hansbrough had more emotion and will to win than this years team combined.

This years teams bigs are soft, they don't go to the rim hard, Zeller gets the ball knocked loose way to much, Henson settles for a jumper, and Barnes plays the game in his head instead of by instinct. McAdoo just can't find his role or shot yet...shoots to many jumpers. The backcourt has Marshall who can't score and can't guard quick pgs...basically he doesn't need to be defended on offense. Strickland playing the 2 isn't a good shooter and rarely shoots a 3. Bullock is a streaky shooter at best and usually shoots to quick in the possession. PJ shot has left him...he couldn't miss at the start of the season so I'm wondering if he has a nagging injury.

I actually don't blame Roy. He can't help his players make good decisions or have heart/intensity. I do wish he would start PJ of Bullock at the 2. It would give a 3pt threat at the start of games....granted Strickland has better D.

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Maybe. Rivers looks like an OK player, but nothing like the #1 player in a class.

K won a championship with the jewish assassin as his starting PG.

K also won a championship when his big man (Boozer) got hurt and then went to a back court duo of Jason Williams and Chris Duhon (that team did have a lot of talent).

K can adapt to changes in his roster in ways that it doesn't appear that Roy can. I also can't ever remember K having a team that didn't bust their ass. Can't say the same for Roy.

Meh....can't say I disagree with you. Even though I can't stand dook or K for that matter, playing hard has never been a problem for them. I respect K because of how hard his teams play for him all the time. Now granted I don't see nearly as many dook games as I do UNC games, but I have seen UNC play a lot of games where they just look like they are going through the motions. And for the record Dean Smith and K are a lot alike in this respect. I NEVER saw a Dean Smith team lack in effort.